As Attorney General, he started with an abundance of will, energy,
style, shrewdness and good intentions. He appointed brilliant, loyal
subordinates. He had in reserve a big brother who happened to be
President. Applying these strengths in the normally stagnant Justice
Department, Robert Kennedy quickly made wavesbut then declined to
walk on them.

In Kennedy Justice, Victor Navasky both mourns and explains the absence
of miracles. He also coolly outlines and assesses what he regards as
Kennedy's limited achievements: the elan with which he...